Particularly when you consider the 26-year-old had just 39 at bats in the majors before this season, all with the Pirates, and is hitting .276 with five RBIs in 76 at-bats against the rest of the league.

The newest Yankees-killer didn’t have much of an explanation for his success.

“I enjoy anytime I’m in the lineup,” Ciriaco said. “It doesn’t matter who it is. When you play against the Yankees, it’s like the finals. You do the best you can. … They threw me good pitches to hit, and I tried to make something happen. I was probably lucky, too.”

Valentine said he is confident there’s more to come.

“It doesn’t surprise me,” Valentine said. “It amazes me that he is who is, with that kind of talent, and hasn’t been utilized before.”

Teammate Alfredo Aceves, a former Yankee, had a similar theory.

When asked if Ciriaco raises his game in The Bronx, the closer responded: “It’s not that. It’s because he’s good. And that’s good for him … and bad for the Yankees.”